A study to assess the factors infleuncing pre hospital delay in seeking medical treatment among patients with acute myocardial infarction in a selected hospital, ludhiana, punjab, india.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are main cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Acute myocardial infarction needs prompt and urgent diagnosis and therapy. AMI patients often use denial during the first hours and even first days after the initiation of sign and symptoms contributing to Pre hospital delay. Factors associated with prolonged pre hospital delay in patients with AMI are unable to recognize symptoms of heart attack, old age, low socio-economic status, female gender, previous history of hypertension or diabetes and use of over the counter drugs. Objectives: - To assess the factors influencing pre hospital delay in seeking medical treatment among patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction. Methodology: An exploratory study was conducted on 100 Acute Myocardial Infarction patients in selected areas of Hero DMC Heart Institute, Ludhiana, Punjab. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample. Modified Dracup K. Moser DK (1997) Response to Symptom Questionnaire was used to assess the factors influencing Pre Hospital Delay in seeking medical treatment among Acute Myocardial Infarction patients. Data was collected using interview method. Results:- The findings of the present study revealed tht majority of AMI patients(45%) were having longer Pre hospital delay which is more than 8 hours and the factors influencing pre hospital delay among AMI patients were that they were not able to recognize the symptoms of AMI (74%) followed by visited local doctor(70%),did not recognize the importance of symptoms(60%)etc. Chest pain onset during night and presence of paramedical person in the family and source of information had association with Pre hospital delay time at p≤ 0.05 level. Conclusion: The study findings concluded that majority of Acute Myocardial Infarction patients were having longer pre hospital delay as they were not able to recognize the symptoms of heart attack contributing to Pre hospital delay. Recommendations: It is recommended to plan and organize community awareness programmes focusing on recognizing initial symptoms of AMI and immediate management to reduce Pre hospital delay and seek medical help immediately after symptom onset.